Trip from Erie, PA to Newtown, PA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 51m

Distance

412 mi

663 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

7h 43m ★

6 AM

7h 52m

8 AM

8h 10m

10 AM

7h 58m

12 PM

7h 56m

3 PM

7h 59m

5 PM

8h 9m

8 PM

7h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Newtown, PA

Kelly

Trip Overview

Erie to Newtown is 412 miles and takes about 7h 51m via Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region towards the southeastern part of the state. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and a significant amount of time on local roads, rather than a straight shot on major interstates. Given the duration and the nature of the drive, it's a manageable one-day journey, but be prepared for a more engaged driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

206 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	257.1 mi	4h 38m
Raymond P Shafer Highway	66.8 mi	1h 11m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension	50.4 mi	54m
Durham Road	9.8 mi	15m
Swamp Road	5.4 mi	8m
Doylestown Pike	4.1 mi	6m
John Fries Highway	2.7 mi	3m
West Broad Street	2.6 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,084 veh/hr typical · worst 1,463

Quietest

2 AM

~184 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Newtown, PA.

Start on State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.0 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway

Continue on I 79

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Toward I 80 East: Clarion

Merge onto I 80

257 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 476 South: Allentown

Merge onto I 476; PATP

50 mi · 54 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 2 min

Exit 44 Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

227 ft · 7 sec

Toward PA 663 North: Quakertown Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto PA 663

2.7 mi · 3 min · John Fries Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on PA 663

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 313

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Broad Street

Continue on PA 313

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Broad Street

Continue on PA 313

1.2 mi · 2 min · Doylestown Pike

Continue on PA 313

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Broad Street

Continue on PA 313; PA 563

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Dublin Pike

Continue on PA 313

2.8 mi · 4 min · Doylestown Pike

Continue on PA 313

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Main Street North

Continue on PA 313

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Dublin Pike

Continue on PA 313

5.4 mi · 8 min · Swamp Road

Turn left onto US 202

2.5 mi · 3 min · East State Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto PA 413

9.3 mi · 14 min · Durham Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto PA 532

0.5 mi · 1 min · Durham Road

Turn right onto North Sycamore Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · North Sycamore Street

Turn left onto West Washington Avenue

449 ft · 8 sec · West Washington Avenue

Arrive at destination

West Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 7-hour, 51-minute drive. With 2 stops recommended, plan them strategically to break up the 412 miles. Fuel costs are estimated at $68, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Erie. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The longest stretch of 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway provides a good opportunity for a longer driving segment before your first planned stop.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 206 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 91 miles or 1h 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 206 miles or 3h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newtown, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Erie, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Erie, PA

This is one driving day of about 412 miles and 7h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Erie, PA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 257.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntingdon, PA

206 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ellwood City, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Huntingdon, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 206 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.9 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 379.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | Greengarden Boulevard

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

328 mi into trip | ~5h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 476 South: Allentown

378.6 mi into trip | ~6h 55m in

Take the exit toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 44 Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown

379.3 mi into trip | ~6h 57m in

Keep slight left at fork toward PA 663 North: Quakertown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward PA 663 North: Quakertown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$72.86 one way

$145.72 round trip

$4.49/gal 25.4 MPG avg 144 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.92	$79.80	$159.61
premium	$5.24	$85.06	$170.12
diesel	$5.35	$86.78	$173.56

Estimated Tolls: $6.55

Pennsylvania Turnpike (50.4 mi) $6.55

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$73

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$104–$129

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 144.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	123.6	1	$43.26	$19.78
Efficient EV	103	1	$36.05	$16.48
EV Truck/SUV	164.8	2	$57.68	$26.37

Gas CO2

144 kg

EV CO2

48 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Afternoon in Erie on Wednesday

Local time

3:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Clear

SW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Newtown, PA

Afternoon in Newtown on Wednesday

Local time

3:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Partly Cloudy

N 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 51m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour $1 near mile 412

Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure

View on nps.gov

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 412

View on nps.gov

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 397.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you won't be on a constant interstate flow. With only 12% of the journey on highways, much of your time will be spent navigating Pennsylvania's local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a substantial period of more consistent travel before you transition to other road types. Be ready for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation and road changes.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 257.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 412 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 328 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,683 ft 161 ft

Total Climb

2,237 ft

Total Descent

2,728 ft

Highest Point

1,683 ft

~176.6 mi in

Elevation Range

1,522 ft

Notable High Points

1,552 ft at ~235.4 miles +519 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Erie, PA and Newtown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Quakertown.

Patp

327 mi in | ~5h 57m

Allentown

327 mi in | ~5h 57m

Quakertown

378.6 mi in | ~6h 55m

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1795

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

Top landmarks

• USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
• Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
• Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania

Arriving in Newtown, PA

Full guide →

Newtown is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by beautiful farmlands, this small town was also the location where the movie Signs was filmed in part. It is a cute town with plenty of places to visit, eat and see.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 51m. Total distance: 412 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 257.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 40 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Newtown, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newtown, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Erie, PA

Manchester, VT 430.9 mi · 8h 54m Tullytown, PA 430.1 mi · 7h 56m Whitman, PA 425.5 mi · 7h 55m Folcroft, PA 425.4 mi · 7h 56m Baldwin, PA 425.1 mi · 7h 54m Pennsport, PA 424.4 mi · 7h 54m

Escape planner: Erie, PA Scenic drives in PA

Explore more options from Erie, PA or browse trips ending in Newtown, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Trip from Erie, PA to Newtown, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-80

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound

Centre County Rest Area Eastbound

Montour County Rest Area Eastbound

Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Allentown Service Plaza

Hickory Run Service Plaza

Venango County Rest Area Westbound

Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound

Centre County Rest Area Westbound

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound

Clinton County Rest Area Westbound

Venango County Rest Area Eastbound

Onvo Travel Plaza

Zachrich Trucking Inc

Pilot Travel Center

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Hickory Run Truck Plaza

Montour County Rest Area Westbound

Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound

Columbia County Rest Area Westbound

Love's Travel Stop

Clarion Service Plaza

TA

TA

Onvo Travel Plaza

Blue Ridge Travel Plaza

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Erie, PA

Newtown, PA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 51m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Independence National Historical Park

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Valley Forge National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Arriving in Newtown, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?